My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

even offer some to anyone, a group of

cake is so pretty,

hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss

happened to be a little girl

sing the ‘Happy

her eyes

blow

Julian that there

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

must make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out

little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her

her hands and made a wish.

to say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was heartwarming

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately,

she turned and headed

inside her apartment

propped open by a large hand from

her, his darkened face made all the more

on business?

the house and shut the door

see you’ve been

she took two steps

toward her as he pulled

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin

step he approached her,

Rachel had no idea what

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way